Coupling mechanism



Sept-1, 1936. c. H. TOMLINSON COUPLING MECHANISM Filed Maroh l, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney .CHARLEs H. 75MLl/VSON S 1936- c. H. TOMLINSON 2,052,993

COUPLING MECHANISM 1 Filed March 1, 1932 4 Sheets-Shet 2 A CHARLEs H. Tomuuso/v Attorney Inventor Sept. 5- c. H.- TOMLINSON 2,993

COUPLING MECHANI SM Filed March 1, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I IIIY YIII 53 5a rwentor CHARLES H- 7Zwu/vso/v A itorney Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE COUPLING MECHANISM Application March 1, 1932, Serial No. 596,017

20 Claims.

My invention relates to couplers for cars and couplers for train lines such as air, steam, water and electricity.

The objects of my invention are to provide,

A .car coupler of novel construction and operation.

A combined car, fluid pressure and electric coupler of novel construction.

An improved car coupler in which the coupling 10 mechanism on two coupled heads may be operated simultaneously to the uncoupled position from either head or from a point in either car. An improved coupler for the train lines of a train of cars cooperating with the. car coupler and in which two coupled heads will hold the train lines coupled so long as the car couplers remain coupled and will automatically uncouple when the car couplers have parted a predetermined distance but will remain coupled and permit a predetermined amount of movement between the car coupler heads without uncoupling so long asthe oar couplers remain coupled.

.An improved coupler for the train lines of a train of cars which will automatically part when the coupled cars have separated a predetermined amount.

improved coupler device in which two coupled heads are held tightly coupled and are constantly-urged into tighter coupled relation.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, combination and relation of the various parts hereinafter described and shown in the drawings accompanying this specification.

In the drawings:.--

35 Fig. 1 is a top view of my improved car coupler alsoadapted for coupling fluid pressure and electric lines.

Fig. 2 is a vertical view in partial section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

40 Fig. '3 is a horizontal view of the head portion only in partial section'taken through the longitudinal horizontal axis of the coupler and with the locking mechanism shown in uncoupling position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of two heads similar to that shown in Fig. 13in coupled relation.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a locking latch or coupling bolt which I employ.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing a detachable form of connection for the steam lines.

Fig. 7 is a. modification of the connection shown in Fig. 6 and differs by being provided with check valves.

Fig. .8 is a front or face view in elevation of my car coupler showing an arrangement of connections for air, steam and electric train lines, the arrangement being a modification of that shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of my coupler arranged for connecting train lines and to be used in con- 5 junction with the coupler shown in Fig. 1 or with any other type of coupler.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the train line coupler shown in Fig. 9 in partial section on the line l0|ll of Fig. 9 and showing my inven- 10 tion suspended beneath a car coupler of the Janney type.

Fig. .11 is a horizontal view in partial section taken on the line llll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a face view of the train line coupler head showing the air and steam connections.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal view in partial section on the line l3l3 of Fig. 10 and shows a yielding support for the coupler.

Fig. 14 is a face view of the car coupler shown in Fig. '2 with the fluid pressure connectors mounted on the upper and lower faces of the coupler head.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ a body member I provided with an enlarged head portion 2 and an extended portion 3. The head is provided with a projecting pin 4 having parallel sides and. a beveled end and projecting through the opening 5 in the face of the counterpart coupler head. The opening 5 is provided with an inwardly projecting wall 6 which engages with the several side faces 1 of the pin 4 or is provided with a very small clearance such that the engagement of the pin 4 with the wall 6 will prevent buckling or bending of the heads relative to each other.

If the coupler is to be used merely as a car coupler then the face of the coupler will appear perfectly plain and without the connectors for steam and air as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Mounted in supporting guides I4 and I5 is a transversely slidable bolt or latch I6 having an enlarged head IT with reduced portion I8. The latch is yieldably held in its advanced position by means of the spring l9 and held against advancement in the uncoupled relation beyond a predetermined amount by the pin l9 engaging the guide I l.

The locking latch is provided upon its front face with a tapered portion 20 which when engaged by the pin of the counterpart coupler will retract the latch as the pin of the counterpart coupler advances and when the two coupler faces are in contact an opening 2| in the inner face of the pin 4 will be opposite the latch l6 and the latch I6 will then advance under action of the spring I9 until it projects into the opening 2|.

Fig. 3 shows a single head in which the latch I6 has been withdrawn to its unlocking position while in Fig. 4 two'heads are shown in coupled relation with the latch in its coupled relation to the opposite head.

It will be noted that the locking latch I6 is provided with a tapered face 22 opposite the face and it will be noted that the pin 4 is provided in the recess 2i with a face 23 which is engaged by the face 22 on the locking latch and is beveled in like manner. The beveled faces 22 and. 23 cooperating tend not only to hold the coupler heads with their faces in tight relation but will take up wear to a certain degree-thus maintaining the heads tight through a period of time.

From the description thus given it will be seen that the construction of the head is very simple and the coupled heads will be held in not only tight relation but the latch will tend to urge the heads into even tighter relation and the pins 4 cooperating with the recesses in the oppositehead will tend to prevent vertical, lateral and buckling movement of the heads.

In order to uncouple two heads without themcessity of operating the locking latches I'd independently of each other in the two heads I provide a lever 24 pivoted at 25 and which projects from the'coupler head for manual operation and also engages with the latch I6 of the opposite head when coupled. A lever 26 is pivoted to the lever 24andto the lug 21 on the locking latch such that when the lever 24 is operated to uncouple, the latch l6 in the corresponding head will be moved with the lever 24 and thus the locking levers I6 on the two heads will be operated simultaneously from one head. I

If desired the heads may be equipped with air uncoupling mechanism consisting of an air cylinder 28 having a piston 29 therein held in a retracted position by means of the spring 30 and also having a pin 3! which will engage with the lever 24. A pipe 32 leads from the cylinder to a source of air supply as for instance the reservoir.

pipe 5I (Fig. 1) and a control valve 32' may be mounted in the pipe 32 and at any convenient position on the car such that when the control valve is opened air will enter the cylinder 28 and advance the piston such that the pin 3! will operate to move the lever 24 to its uncoupling position and with it the locking latches it.

Thus the unlocking of the two heads may take place'manually from one coupler head or through pneumatic means from any position in one car.

The rearwardly projecting portion 3 is made hollow to receive a 'draft spring 33 and a stem 34. I have shown a bearing 35 pressed into position in the member 3 against relative movement therewith and I have also shown a gland 36 screwed into position in the end of the member 3. Interposed between the inner faces of the members 35 and 36 is the draft spring 33. Positioned within the bearing 35 and the gland 36 is the member 3% which has a threaded end portion 31 with a ball attachment 38 for connection to the ball anchorage 39, which in turn is secured to the car body 40. The member 34 slides longitudinallyin the members 35 and 35 such that whenever the head is moved longitudinally from its normal or uncoupling position the spring 33 will be compressed.

The coupler head thus described may be yieldingly supported from the car body by means of a projects the coupling 41 and 48. There is also a 5 chamber 49 with the air connection 50.

From the combined chambers 45 and 46 projects the pipe 5| which may be termed the reservoir line and from the chamber 49 projects the pipe 52 which may be termed the brake pipe.

A connecting device 53 for steam may be secured to'the lower face of the coupler head by means of the bolts 54 passing through the lugs 55 as shown in Figal l.

Fig. 6 shows a horizontal section of the aforesaid steam connecting device and comprises a' body member 55 having a chamber 5?, a composition packing ring 58 such as bakelite held in place by a gland nut 59, and a reciprocating connection 60 which engages with the member 58 on the counterpart head. Spring 6| is biased to advance the connection 60 andmovable with the member 60 is a packing 62 held in position by means of the threaded flange 63 secured to the member 60. The opening 64 is threaded to receive the steam line 65.

A modified form of the steam connection shown in Fig. 6 is set forth in Fig. 7 and has in addition to the elements set forth in Fig. 6 a reciprocating member 56 which is held in its advancedposition by the spring 5'! and has a valve 68 engaging with the composition ring 58 thus closing the passage when the head is not coupled. The coupling device is also provided'with a reciprocating member 69'which is provided with a valve I0 for closing off the chamber 5'! by means of the spring II when the head'is not coupled. The operation of the device shown in Fig.- 7 is the same as that r in Fig. 6 excepting that when the two heads come together the members 66 and 69 on the two heads are engaged and forced'inwardly thus opening the check valves and as the heads continue to come together the member-66 will engage with the member 58 on the opposite 'head'un'til they are finallytogether thus completing the steam connection between the two heads. I The pipe is attached to the threaded opening 64.

With the steam coupling-shown in Fig. 6 it is apparent that a valve must be placed in the line 65 at some point which may be operated manually or automatically.

The'train line connectors 43 and 53 -may be mounted upon the upper and'lo'wer faces of the I coupler head as shown in Fig. 14 or maybe dovetailed or recessed into the coupler head as shownin the train line'coupling of Fig. 12 and held 'by bolts.

Fig. 8 is a'front view of the above car coupler the heads of the car couplers or between the cars themselves and to open automatically if the car couplers are uncoupled and separated. In such arrangement (see Figs. 10 and 11) I provide a coupler having a head portion I and a project.- ing hollow portion IDI provided with a shoulder I92 and a removable gland I03 held in place by bolts I54 and having a face I95, a draft spring I 95 positioned between the faces I92 and I95 with interposed washers I91.

Extending longitudinally through the interior of the member I5! isa member I98 having secured to the outer end a portion I99 by means of the rivet H0 and having a recessed portion III. To the 'inner end of the member I09 is secured a loop-shaped member H2 having a transverse opening H3 and secured by means of the rivet H4.

Secured to the car coupler H5, which may be of the Janney or other type, is a downwardly projecting bracket or anchorage H6 to which is secured by means of the rivets II? a pin H8 and secured to the lower end of the pin H8 is a re-' tainer IE9 projecting into the recessed portion I I I. The construction of the recessed portion II I and retaining member I I9 is such that the coupler will have substantially universal movement relative to the member H8.

By supporting the train line coupler from the car coupler, the adjustment of the moving parts on the train line coupler may be made much closer as the relative movement to be compensated for is that between the car coupler heads H5 as later explained.

The two heads are locked and held in coupled relation substantially the same as in the car coupler above described and each head is provided with a projecting pin I 29' having a side recess I2I and a tapered surface I22., The head is also provided with a recess I29 to receive the pin I29 on a counterpart head. There is also provided a transversely movable locking latch I23 having enlarged head I24 held and guided by the member I5! and a reduced projection I25 held and guided by the member I 58 and a spring I 26 to advance the latch. The advance of the latch I23 beyond a predetermined point while the head is uncoupled is checked by a pin I25 engaging the back guide I56. Enlarged portion I24 is provided with the tapered face I2? to engage with the projecting pin I20 on the cooperating head to retract the latch when the two heads come together. The latch is also provided with the tapered surface I28 which engages with the tapered surface I22 on the cooperating pin thus not only holding the two heads in a tightly coupled relation but constantly urging the heads into tighter coupled relation and also taking up wear.

In order to automatically uncouple two heads should the car couplers H5 become uncoupled intentionally or accidentally I provide a lever I29 pivoted at I39 and having one portion extending into the slot H3 and another portion extending into a slot I3I of the locking latch I23.

It will be quite evident that with the members IEI8Ifl9-I I2 fixedly secured to each other and fixedly secured to the anchorage I I5 against longitudinal movement relative thereto that as the head I 59 is moved forward it will be advanced relative to the members II38-I99-I I2 and if such relative movement is sufficient the member H2 will engage with the lever I 29 and rotate the same upon its pivot I38 causing the opposite end of the lever which is positioned in socket I3I in the locking lever to engage the wall at one end of the socket and move the locking latch to its unlocking position and it is evident that if two heads are coupled together and the uncoupling of the car couplers H5 should take place and the couplers move away from each other that the same action will take place with respect to the train line couplers as just described for the single coupler causing the latches in the two heads to be moved automatically to their uncoupling position when the separation of the cars or the coupiers H5 has reached a predetermined distance.

I prefer to have the face of the train line coupler in advance of the face of the car coupler as for instance the line I32 represents the face of the train line coupler in Fig. and the line I33 represents the pulling face of the car coupler H5. Thus when two cars are coupled the heads I 09 together wlththe projecting portion IBI will be moved rearwardly in a. longitudinal direction relative to their respective supports IBIS-I99- H2. thus the lever I29 will not be in contact with the member H2 as shown in Fig. 11 and therefore there will be no danger of the heads being uncoupled due to a predetermined amount of longitudinal movement between the heads of the couplers II 5.

I preferto make the cross section of the member I III and of the member H2 rectangular thus assisting to hold these two parts in a predetermined relation against relatlve rotation although they may be made of a circular cross section.

Projecting from opposite sides of the member IOI are lugs I34'and which have mounted there on yielding supports I35 which comprise telescopic members I36 and I 31 yieldingly held in extended position by the spring I38 and having the interengaging flanges I36 and I31 respectively to limit movement in one direction. The lugs I34 are secured to the yielding supports I35 through the medium of the headed stud I39.

The coupler H5 is provided with downwardly projecting and spaced lugs I49 and secured to each lug is a pivotally mounted member I M Each member I35 is provided with an eye portion I42 and the members I35 are secured to the members MI by means of the thru-bolt I43. It will be evident from the construction that if the coupler body tends to move rearwardly with respect to the car coupler II 5 that it may do so through the yielding construction of the members I35 and at the same time suchmembers will yieldingly support the coupler head; also, there will be enough clearance between the parts such that the head may move sideways relative to the car coupler I I5 2. limited amount and the head may move upwardly with respect to the coupler I I5 due to the telescopic action of the members I35.

The train line connections to the head may be variously arranged, for instance as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 12 the arrangement provides for a, detachable connecting device I44 and which is also shown in Fig. 10 in section ,and may comprise chambers I45 and I46 connected together by thecross chamber I45 and having front connections I41 and I48 and a pipe connection I49 leading therefrom'and which may be termed the reservoir air connection. The member I44 may also have a chamber I50 with a front connection I5I ands. pipe connection I52 as shown in Figs. 9 and 13.

The head may also be provided with an insert steam-connecting device I53 which is provided with a single chamber and may be constructed along the lines of that shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 7 only arranged for inserting within the head as shown or bolted to the outer surfaces thereof.

i 10 the car coupler shown in Fig; 1 may be embe made from those disclosed'but I wish to be limited only by my claims.

I claim:

1. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flatface'at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the coupler and a pin projectingfro-m the 'face' at one-side of the center and a recessin the-face at the other side of the center,the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with a'recess and pin respectively in a similar coupled head, the pin having an opening in its inner face and one face of the opening-spaced from the coupler face being beveled, a sliding locking member movable transvers ely' to the longitudinal axis of the coupler and positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the head, the locking member having a portion-projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion having a beveled face to be engaged by the end of the pin of the cooperating coupler to retract the locking member, a spring arranged to advance the locking member which is provided with a beveled faceto engage with the beveled face in the opening in the pin of'the cooperating head to' lock the heads together, the last mentioned beveled surfacescooperating to draw the faces of the couplers tightly together, a pivoted uncoupling lever having one end projecting without the head and the other end pro-' jecting into the opening in the pin to engage the locking member on the cooperating head to move the locking member to its unlocking position, a link connecting the said lever and the locking member to move the locking member to its unlocking position to release the pin on'the cooperating head and a longitudinally projecting means from the head and means at the end of the projecting means to secure the coupler to a support on the car. I

2. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face and a hollow pin projecting from the face atone side of the center and a'recess in the. face at the other side of the center, the pin and'recess arranged to cooperate with a recess and pin respectively in a similar coupled head,- the pin hav-' ing an'opening in its inner face communicating with the recess in the pin and one face of the' opening spaced from the coupler face being beveled, a sliding locking member movable transthe locking member having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion having a beveled face to be engaged by the end of the pin of the cooperating coupler to retract the locking member, a spring operating to advance the locking member which is provided with a'beveled face'to engage with the beveled face in the opening in the pin of the cooperating head to lock theheads together, the last mentioned beveled surfaces cooperating to draw the faces of the couplers tightly together, unlocking mechanism associated with the head and arranged to act upon the locking members on two coupled heads to move the locking mem-' bers to the unlocking position simultaneously and a, longitudinally projecting means from the head and means at the end of the projecting means to secure the coupler to a support on the car. .73. A car. coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the coupler V and a pin projecting from the face at one side of the center and a recess in the face atvthe other side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with a recess and pin respectively in a similar coupled head, the pin having an opening in its inner face, a sliding locking member movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coupler and positioned adjacent the inner-surface of the front wall of the head, the locking member having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion having a beveled face to be engaged by the end of the pin of the cooperating, coupler to retract the locking member, a spring operating to advance the locking member which is adapted to enter the opening in the pin o-f the cooper ating head to lock the heads together, a pivoted uncoupling lever having one end projecting without the head and the other end projecting into the opening in the pin to engage the locking member on the cooperating head to move the locking member to its unlocking position, a link connecting the said lever and the locking member to move the locking member to its unlocking position to release the pin on the cooperating head and a. longitudinally projecting means from the head and means at the end of the projecting means to secure the coupler to a support on the car. 7

4. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face and a hollow pin projecting from the face at one side of the center and a recess in the face at the other side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with a recess and pin respectively in a similar coupled head, the pin having an opening in its inner face communi-' eating with the recess in the pin, a sliding locking member movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coupler, the locking member having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion having a beveled face to be engaged by the end of the pin of the cooperating couplerto retract the locking member, a spring arranged to advance the locking member which is adapted to enter the opening in the pin of the cooperating head to lock the heads together, unlocking mech anism mounted on the head and arranged to act upon the locking members on two coupled heads to move the locking members to the unlocking position simultaneously, and a longitudinally projecting means from the head and means at the end of the projecting means to secure the coupler to a support on the car.

5. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face and a hollow pin projecting from the face at one side of the center and a recess in the face at the other side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with a recess and'pin respectively in a similar coupled head, the pin having an opening in its inner face communicating with the recess in the pin, a sliding locking member movable transversely to the longitudinal axisof the coupler, the locking member having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion having a beveled face to be engaged by the end of the pin on thecooperating coupler to retract the locking member, a V

spring arranged to advance the locking member which is adapted to enter the opening in the pin of the cooperating head to lockthe headstogether, unlocking mechanism-.mounte-d on' the head arranged to cooperate with the locking members on two coupled heads to move the locking members to the unlocking position simultaneously, pneumatic meansacting upon the unlocking mechanism to move the unlocking mechanism'and means located on the car to control air to the pneumatic means.

6. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler headhaving a substantially flat face and a hollow pin having av beveled end surface projecting from theface at one sideof the center and a recess in the face at theother side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with a recess and pin respectively in a similar coupled head, the pin having an opening in its inner face communicatingjwith the recess inthe pin, a sliding locking member movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coupler, the locking member having'a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face and the projecting portion to be engaged by the beveled end surface of' the pin on the cooperating couplertoretract the locking member, a spring operating to ad- Vance the locking member whichis adapted to enter the opening in the pin of the cooperating head to lock the heads together, unlocking mechanism, mounted on the head and having means arranged to act uponthe locking members on two coupled heads to move the locking members on the two heads to the unlocking position simultaneously. V

7; A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face and apin projecting from the face to one side of the center and a recess in the face to the other side of the center, the pinand recess arranged to cooperate with the recess and pin respectively of a similar coupled head to prevent relative lateral and angular movement of the heads, the pin having a pocket, atransversely sliding locking member, the lockingmember having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face to be engaged by thepin on the cooperating coupler to retract the lockingmember, a spring arranged to advance the locking member which is adapted to enterthe. pocket in the pin of the cooperating head and engage its wall to lock the heads together, unlocking mechanism movably mounted on the head and arranged to act upon the locking members on two coupled heads to simultaneously move the locking membersto the unlocking position. I V H n 8. A car coupler comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially fiat face and a pin projecting at right angles to the face and to one side of the center and a recess in the face to the other side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with the recess and pin respectively of a cooperating coupled head to prevent relative laterai movements of the heads, the pin having a pocket, a transversely slidable locking member positioned within the head-between the pin and recess and arranged to engage the wall forming the pocket in the pin of the cooperating head to hold the heads coupled, the locking member having a portion projecting into the recessin the coupler face to be engaged by thepin on a counterpart head in coupling to automaticallyretract the locking member, a spring operating to= advance the locking member to enter the pocket in the pin, on the counterpart head, un-

locking mechanism associated with the head and locking member to move the locking member to its unlocking position and means partially concealed, within the coupler head to manually operate the unlocking mechanism.

9. ,A coupling device comprising in combination a recessed head having a transversely disposed front wall, a pin projecting from the wall and having a fiat face and an aperture, a recess in the wall spaced from the pin and arranged to receive the pin of a counterpart coupler, a sliding lock positioned within the head between the pin and recess and movable transversely of the longitudina-l axis of the pin and extending parallel to and adjacent the said wall and extending transversely to the axis of the recess and into overlapping relation .to the recess to engage the wall of the aperture in the pin of the counterpart coupler, means pivotally mounted within the recess of the, head to move the lock to its unlocking position and spring means arranged to advance the lock to its locking position and means projecting from the head to secure the coupler to an anchorage.

10. A coupling mechanism comprising in combination a coupler head having a substantially flat face and a pin projecting at right angles to the face and to one side of the center and a recess in the face to the other side of the center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with the recess and pin respectively of a cooperating coupled head to prevent relative lateral movements of the heads, the pin having a pocket opening on the side toward the recess, a transversely slidable locking member positioned between the pin-and recess arranged to engage the wall of the pocket in the pin of a cooperating head to hold the heads coupled, the locking member having a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face to be engaged by the pin on a counterpart head in coupling to retract the locking member, a spring arranged to advance the locking member to enter the pocket in the pin on the counterpart head, the engaging surfaces of the pocket wall and of the locking member being beveled to draw the heads together and hold them against relative longitudinal movement and unlocking mechanism associated with the head and locking member to move the locking member to its unlocking position. 7

11. A coupling mechanism comprising in combination a hollow head, a hollow pin projecting from a transverse wall at the front end of the head, a recess in the wall spaced from the pin to receive a pin on a counterpart head, an aperture in one wall of the pin opening into the hollow of the pin, a sliding lock parallel with the said wall and within the head between the pin and recess and arranged to enter the aperture in the pin of a counterpart head to hold the heads coupled, a spring acting upon the lock to urge the pin to enter the aperture of the counterpart head, the engaging surfaces of the pin and lock being beveled to cause the heads to be drawn together, means to move the lock counter to the spring and means projecting rearwardly from the head to secure the head to an anchorage.

12. A coupling mechanism comprising in combination a hollow head, a pin projecting from the head and having an aperture, a recess in the head spaced from the pin and arranged to receive the pin of a counterpart coupler, the aperture opening towards the recess, a sliding lock movable transversely of the longitudinal axis of the pin and positioned between the pin and recess and extending into overlapping relation to the recess to engage the Wall of the aperture in the pin of the counterpart coupler, the engaging surfaces on the sliding lock and aperture wall on the pin being beveled to coact together to draw the heads of two cooperating heads into tighter engagement and hold the heads in engagement, yielding means to move the lock to its locking position and means to move the lock from its locking position in opposition to the said yielding means.

13. In a car coupler, the combination with a hollow head having a transversely disposed face and fluid pressure connecting means, of apin projecting from the face to one side of the vertical center line of the face and a recess in the face to the other side of said line, an opening in the pin, means on the head to engage the pin on the counterpart coupler to hold the heads and fluid pressure connecting means thereon in coupled relation and comprising a sliding lock positioned to the front of the head between the pin and recess and having a tapered projecting part adapted to enter the opening in the pin of the counterpart head and draw the heads and connecting means together, a spring to urge the lock to enter the said opening and means on the head to engage the lock to move the lock to its uncoupling position. 7

14. A coupling device comprising in combination a head, a hollow pin projecting from the head and having an aperture opening into the chamber in the pin, a recess in the head spaced from the pin and arranged to receive the pin of a counterpart coupler, a sliding lock positioned within the head between the pin and recess and extending transversely to the axis of the recess and into overlapping relation to the recess to engage the wall of the aperture in the pin of the counterpart coupler, means to' move the lock to its unlocking position and means projecting from the head to secure the coupler to an anchorage.

15. A coupling mechanism comprising in combination a head having a substantially fiat face, a pin projecting from the face to one side of the center thereof and a recess in the face to the other side of said center, the pin and recess arranged to cooperate with the recess and pin respectively of'a cooperating coupled head to pre vent lateral relative movementof the heads, a pocket in the pin, a transversely slidable lock member positioned within the head between the pin and recess and arranged to engage the wall forming the pocket in the pin of the cooperating head to hold the heads coupled, the lock meme ber having'a portion projecting into the recess in the coupler face to be engaged'by the pin on the cooperating head to retract the lock member during coupling, a spring arranged to advance the lock member to its coupling position and un locking mechanism associated with the lock member and the coupler head acting to move the lock member to its unlocking position against the tension of said spring. 7

16. In combination a pair of couplers having hollow heads with abutting flat faces, the heads having engaging pins and recesses to prevent relative transverse movement of the couplers, a

'wedging means to exert a drawing of the coupler faces towards each other after the heads are coupled, spring means acting upon each lock tending to move it to its locking position and to aid in said drawing of the coupled heads towards each other and each head provided with means to move the locks on both coupled heads at will of an operator to their uncoupled position.

17. In combination a pair of connecting devices having hollow heads with abutting flat faces and cooperating fluid connections, the faces having recesses of the counterpart coupler and maintain the heads against'transverse relative move ment, a'transversely slidable lock mounted within each head and arranged to coact with the pin of the coupled head to hold the heads and fluid connections against separation and pivotally mounted means within each head and each means cooperating with the locks on both heads to move the locks onboth heads to their uncoupling positions, spring means to yieldingly hold the locks in their locking position, a pneumatically operated piston positioned in a cylinder associated with each head and arranged to act upon the said pivotally mounted means to effect the uncoupling of the heads, means to conduct'air to each cylinder to operate the piston and means remote from the coupler to control the flow of air to the cylinder. V V

18. In a coupling apparatus of the type comprising apair of coupling devices each compris ing a vertically yielding hollow head with afiat hold each lock in its locking position, a support,

slidably mounted within each head and projecting therefrom, a second support for each said first support and to which the projecting portionof the first support is pivotally secured, a spring interposed between each head and its first support to resist but not prevent the uncoupling of the heads, means on the first support within each head coacting with the pivotally mounted means to operate the same, only when the movement of the head in one direction relative to the first support exceeds a predetermined amount, and counterpart car-coupling means to which the second supports are secured to prevent the relative longi- V tudinal movement of the heads exceeding the said predetermined amount while thecar-coupling means on which the two coupled heads are mounted are in coupled relation and yielding means supporting the front end of each head from the car-coupling means. l

19. A coupling device for cars comprising in combination a head having a substantially fiat face and a train line connection adjacent its face to cooperate with the connection on a counterpart device, a hollow pin projecting from the head and having an, aperture opening into the chamber in the pin, a recess in the head spaced from the pin and arranged to'receive the pin of the counterpart coupling device, a sliding "lock positioned within the head between the pin and recess and extending transversely to the axis of the recess and into overlapping relation to the recesses and also projecting pins to enter the recess to engage the wall of the aperture in the pin of the counterpart coupler and extend into the chamber of said pin to hold the heads and train line connections in coupled relation, means to move the lock to its unlocking position and having a portion extending into the chamber of the pin on the counterpart device to engage the end of the lock therein and means projecting from the head to mount the coupler on a car.

20. In combination, a pair of counterpart couplers, each having a hollow head with a front face and train pipe connecting means, the said means to engage like means on a counterpart head when coupled, a pin projecting from each face to one side of the vertical center line and provided with a side opening, a recess in each face to the other sideof the vertical center line and opening into the head 'to receive the pin from the counterpart head, means on each head for holding the heads and train pipe connecting means in coupled relation, the said holding means comprising a horizontally slidable lock mounted between the pin and recess and having one end arranged to project in overlapping relation to said recess and to enter the opening in the pin of the counterpart coupler and hold the heads and train pipe connecting means from separating, a spring acting on each lock to urge it to enter the pin opening of the counterpart head and unlocking means on each head acting directly on the lock of each head independently of aid from the unlocking means on the counterpart head to move the locks on both coupled heads to their unlocked position to allow the heads and connecting means to separate.

CHARLES H. TOMLINSON. 

